Secretary’s
Corner

I hope everyone fared well during Hurricane Sandy and that everyone is getting back to normal.

Our preliminary assessments indicate that farmers across the state experienced high winds, flooding, power losses as a result of excessive rain and tree and limb damage but minimal damage. It is important that farmers who did experience crop damage stay in close contact with their crop insurance agent.

Farmers must notify their agent within 72 hours of discovering crop damage, continue to care for their crop as normal and obtain permission from the insurance company before destroying any crops. Farmers who are unable to take corn or soybean crops to harvest should contact their insurance company before taking action. In times of loss, a crop insurance agent should be the first contact. 

 Additionally, any farmer who experienced damage or losses to buildings or livestock due to flooding, rain, or wind should contact their local extension agent to report damage.

 We thank our staff and colleagues, and especially the local emergency management personnel throughout the state, who provided assistance to the agricultural community and the general public before, during and after this storm.

Hudson Trial
Like many others in the agricultural community, I have been closely following the trial of the New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance against Maryland’s Alan Hudson and Perdue Farms – a landmark case that challenges how food is produced in our country today. Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting and I attended the trial on Oct. 22 at the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. The judge’s ruling in this case could significantly impact all of our family farms and the state’s agriculture industry as a whole.

While the federal trial ended Oct. 24, Judge William Nickerson will not issue a ruling in the case until after closing arguments, which are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 30. We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case.

 AgLand Preservation
Next month, in an unprecedented move, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) will consider a landowner’s request to terminate the agricultural land preservation easements that MALPF holds on three Howard County farms. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15. This is the first request that MALPF has received to terminate one of its purchased farmland preservation easements, which in this instance involves easements that the Foundation acquired more than 25 years ago. We will continue to keep you informed on this case as any decisions are made. More details.

Nutrient Management
MDA, like our farmers, continues to rely on sound science and to implement practices that make economic sense. New nutrient management regulations took effect October 15.

These regulations are designed to achieve consistency in the way all sources of nutrients are managed and help Maryland meet nitrogen and phosphorus reduction goals spelled out in its Watershed Implementation Plan to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

We are mindful that these changes may require new technology, and we continue to offer farmers existing cost-share programs to help us meet the goal of a healthier Chesapeake Bay.

A copy of the final regulations is available on MDA’s website. A Frequently Asked Questions document is available online.

We will be sending out additional information shortly on how the new regulations will be implemented.

Local Turkeys
As Thanksgiving approaches, be sure to order your local turkey for your family dinner from a Maryland farm. Order early, because the increasing consumer demand in years past has shown that our farmers will sell out well before Thanksgiving.

To find a local turkey for your Thanksgiving feast, visit marylandsbest.net. The website, sponsored by MDA’s Marketing Department, lists nearly 50 farms throughout the state that sell farm-fresh turkeys. You can also find local cheeses, wines, and other Maryland products to serve during the holidays.

Looking Ahead to 2013 

  includes a column I wrote examining Maryland agriculture in 2013 and beyond.
The column highlights some of the challenges we will face in the year ahead, which include developing strategies and regulations to meet our environmental objectives and monitoring Farm Bill appropriations.

Despite the challenges, our outlook remains positive. MDA and Governor O’Malley believe that Maryland can maintain a profitable agriculture sector and restore the Chesapeake Bay.  The Administration is committed to ensuring that the technical and financial resources farmers need to meet new requirements and implement new practices are available.

My column also highlights that Maryland Public Television, in partnership with MDA, is producing a 13-part series called, “The Maryland Farmer,” to air in fall 2013. The series aims to help increase public understanding of Maryland agriculture. It will put a human face on agriculture, educate viewers about the industry, and tell the stories of the industry that built this nation and continues to feed the world. I thank all of our sponsors, especially the Maryland Grain Producers, for their generous support of this programming.

As we continue with hurricane clean up and begin to enter the holiday season, I encourage farmers to continue giving us your thoughtful input about the issues that affect you. I am always open to ideas and opinions. By working and talking together, we can chart a strong and profitable future for agriculture, the Bay and for generations to come.